Dr. Donald Benjamin Kettelkamp

Dr. Donald Benjamin Kettelkamp, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and esteemed orthopedic surgeon, passed away peacefully on March 14, 2025, at the age of 95 in Spring, Texas. Born in Anamosa, Iowa, to Enoch Kettelkamp and Elsie (Norden) Kettelkamp, Don lived a life rich in adventure, achievement, and love.

A proud graduate of Monona High School, Don was a key player on the baseball team that won the state championship his senior year. He completed his undergraduate studies at Cornell University in 1952, where he excelled as a varsity wrestler. His passion for medicine led him to the University of Iowa, where he earned his medical degree in 1955.

Don spent four summers with the U.S. Forest Service in fire control and later worked for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Alaska. He served two years in the US Public Health Service in Anchorage. He completed his residency in orthopedic surgery in 1961 and returned to Alaska to begin his practice.

Throughout his distinguished career, Don held numerous academic and leadership positions, including faculty roles at Albany Medical College, the University of Iowa, and as Chairman of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at both the University of Arkansas and Indiana University Medical Schools. Don retired from his medical practice in 1984 but remained in academia as an Associate Dean at Texas Tech University Medical School. In 1986 he was asked to be the Executive Director of the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery where he was instrumental in the education of young doctors and the future of the orthopedic profession. Don was honored to be the President of the American Orthopedic Association in 1989. He retired in 1994 and always said retirement was the best job he ever had.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, he was an avid outdoorsman and sportsman. He traveled the world, pursuing his passion for hunting and adventure. Notably, he became the second person in modern times to take all of the "Big Five" African animals with a muzzleloader. His journeys took him to Zimbabwe, South Africa, Balmoral Castle in Scotland, Australia, China, Indonesia, the Philippines and across North America, including Alaska.

However, amidst all his accolades, Don cherished his role as a husband, father, grandfather and friend above all else. He took immense pride in his children and their accomplishments, nurturing a legacy of love and support that will endure through generations.

Don is preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife Alice Mencke Kettelkamp, brothers Richard Kettelkamp and Bill Kettelkamp, sister Mary Shepherd and his son-in-law Richard Rudecki. He is survived by his devoted wife of 36 years, Clemmie Brandon Kettelkamp; his children Karen Rudecki, Lisa Brown (David), Suzy Rippy (Jerry), and Jon Kettelkamp (Diana); his stepchildren Erik Brandon and Christine Brandon; his cherished grandchildren Mike Rudecki, Mathew Rudecki, David Brown, Daniel Brown (Lori), Kristen Khetan (Rahul), Hope Rippy, and Jeremiah Rippy. He also leaves behind his great-grandchildren Benjamin Khetan, Kai Khetan, Anya Brown, Leah Brown, and Rose Brown.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Smile Train at https://www.smiletrain.org/. Please dedicate the donation to Don Kettelkamp and indicate that it is a memorial donation with a connected email of [email protected].

Visitation will be held on March 29 from 11:00 to 12:00 at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery, 9700 Allisonville Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46250. A memorial service will begin at 12:00. Online condolences may be shared at www.flannerbuchanan.com.